Every year during this time I feel that it’s important that we take a moment to remember the hard work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Using non-violent methods, Dr. King inspired people to stand up and take action to change a system that was unfair and cruel to not only the African American population of this country but to all minorities who were experiencing discrimination based on their race and the color of their skin. He preached love and togetherness even when his actions were met with violence and hatred. And even when times were at their darkest, Dr. King was somehow able to stay focused and not lose sight of his goal, to have an America that is free of violence, racism, and discrimination. Dr. King may be gone but movement he started lives on today. So in honor of Dr. King I would like to share with you some of my favorite civil rights songs as well as one of my favorite recordings of Dr. King himself. Enjoy.
ARTIS/SONG/ALBUM Mahalia Jackson “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen” Gospels, Spirituals, and Hymns (played under spoken word intro) Mavis Staples “You Are Not Alone” You Are Not Alone Big Bill Broonzey “When Will I Get To Be Called A Man?” Trouble In Mind J.B. Lenior “Down In Mississippi” Vietnam Blues Sam Cooke “A Change Is Gonna Come” Portrait Of A Legend
Although the great Willie Dixon is usually referred to as “The Poet of the Blues” another true force in Blues songwriting was a man by the name of J.B. Lenior. J.B. Lenior is one of the blues worlds most interesting but lesser know characters. Many of his songs were influenced by what was going on in the world around him. His first cut for Chess Records in 1951 entitled “Korea Blues” talked about the subject of the Korean War and in 1954 he released the politically controversial song “Eisenhower Blues” which was released but quickly pulled off the shelves. Towards the end of his life J.B. cut two very politically charged acoustic albums entitled “Alabama Blues” and “Down In Mississippi”. During these sessions J.B. recorded many songs about his life as well as the hardships of African Americans growing up in the Southern United States. His song “Vietnam Blues” is a slow blues (which almost sounds like a prayer) that talks about his friends bravely fighting in the Vietnam War. He also suggests to the President of the United States to take care of some of the problems locally before sending more people to fight overseas. Although J.B. liked to write and sing songs about social issues he is best know for his song “Mama Talk To Your Daughter” which was released in 1954. It is an understatement to say that J.B. Lenoir was very talented songwriter. He was a true poet of the blues world who took blues songwriting to another level.
